Mold/mildew smell - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

B-52 Guns · 06-11-2014, 12:44 PM

What could be causing a strong mold/mildew smell in my 2011 vert?
I had the top replaced in January and the car was recently in the rain once (top up of course) and then the smell started.
Carpets were not wet.
Could it be the "water bag"?
Is there a new water bag for the older verts?

I love this car but it seems like there is one thing after another and it only has 9,700 miles.

Scott@Bjorn3D · 06-11-2014, 01:18 PM

Have you changed your cabin air filter? They can grow mold if you never changed them and that is what lets fresh air into you cabin when the top is up.

Chevrolet Customer Svc · 06-11-2014, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-52 Guns

What could be causing a strong mold/mildew smell in my 2011 vert?
I had the top replaced in January and the car was recently in the rain once (top up of course) and then the smell started.
Carpets were not wet.
Could it be the "water bag"?
Is there a new water bag for the older verts?

I love this car but it seems like there is one thing after another and it only has 9,700 miles.

B-52 Guns,

I realize how displeasing it can be when faced with a smell concern like this, and though you're seeking thoughts and opinions, I would be happy to communicate this situation with the designated Customer Experience Manager at your preferred dealer if you feel an official diagnosis is necessary. Feel free to message us privately if you'd like to proceed, or discuss this situation further.

William R.
Chevrolet Customer Care

pincoin · 06-11-2014, 02:56 PM

Might be condensation in the heater ducts, my Malibu stinks like that as well. I spray Lysol into the intakes by the windshield, that helps a little.

intensifi · 06-11-2014, 10:03 PM

With the top down does it smell in the storage cavity? If so, then maybe you do have a water bag issue. The drains might be plugged.

'11 cyber grey vert · 06-12-2014, 06:52 AM

If you still have the original water bag...that could be the culprit perhaps...

The newer bags are designed slightly different which drain better than the originally designed ones.So it could be that some water is remaining in the water bag.

MYBADSS · 06-13-2014, 06:41 AM

I've had vehicles that got a mildew smell. I also sprayed Lysol into the cabin air intake and that fixed the problem.

Str8_W8 · 06-13-2014, 10:19 AM

I had the same smell and replaced the cabin air filter. It was literally black with mildew and mold on it.

B-52 Guns · 06-14-2014, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevrolet Customer Svc

B-52 Guns,

I realize how displeasing it can be when faced with a smell concern like this, and though you're seeking thoughts and opinions, I would be happy to communicate this situation with the designated Customer Experience Manager at your preferred dealer if you feel an official diagnosis is necessary. Feel free to message us privately if you'd like to proceed, or discuss this situation further.

William R.
Chevrolet Customer Care

Thanks William,
I have an appointment on Tuesday with Bergey's Chevrolet in Colmar, PA for another issue. If you could reach out to them for this "smell" issue that would be great. The place that put on the top looked at it since my post and suspects the "water bag".

B-52 Guns · 06-14-2014, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Str8_W8

I had the same smell and replaced the cabin air filter. It was literally black with mildew and mold on it.

Thanks Str8_W8, would the filter be dirty with 9,600 miles?

B-52 Guns · 06-14-2014, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by intensifi

With the top down does it smell in the storage cavity? If so, then maybe you do have a water bag issue. The drains might be plugged.

Thanks intensify,
Yep, the garage smells like the car. Could be the water bag.

Str8_W8 · 06-15-2014, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-52 Guns

Thanks Str8_W8, would the filter be dirty with 9,600 miles?

I bought mine GM certified used with 25k miles and I thought the detailers at the Chevy dealer vacuumed the carpet with a carpet cleaner and didn't get all of the water out. Smelled like dirty carpet cleaner water. When I saw mine was black with mildew, picture a piece of bread with mold covering the entire surface.

spikess581 · 06-16-2014, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pincoin

Might be condensation in the heater ducts, my Malibu stinks like that as well. I spray Lysol into the intakes by the windshield, that helps a little.

That is a very old trick! Been doing that since the 70's! Good work Pincoin

B-52 Guns · 06-16-2014, 03:31 PM

Spent the weekend tracking down the source of the odor and discovered that the back carpet & floor was wet under the mats. Used a hair dryer on both sides of the carpet and that reduced the smell significantly.
The question now is: How is this carpet getting wet? Can a bad Water Bag leak into the rear floor area?

06-11-2014, 12:44 PM	#1
B-52 Guns B-52 Guns Drives: 2011 Inferno 2SS/RS convertible Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Lansdale, Pennsylvania Posts: 36	Mold/mildew smell What could be causing a strong mold/mildew smell in my 2011 vert? I had the top replaced in January and the car was recently in the rain once (top up of course) and then the smell started. Carpets were not wet. Could it be the "water bag"? Is there a new water bag for the older verts? I love this car but it seems like there is one thing after another and it only has 9,700 miles.

06-11-2014, 02:56 PM	#4
pincoin Camaro owner since 1982 Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS-RS Conv IBM L99 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,651	Might be condensation in the heater ducts, my Malibu stinks like that as well. I spray Lysol into the intakes by the windshield, that helps a little. __________________ 2012 Camaro RS-SS Conv IBM, L99 1968 Camaro RS Coupe 327 AT 1968 Camaro RS-SS Conv, sold 1993

06-11-2014, 10:03 PM	#5
intensifi Drives: '12 2LT Convertible Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belmont, California Posts: 1,701	With the top down does it smell in the storage cavity? If so, then maybe you do have a water bag issue. The drains might be plugged. __________________ Mods: GM Locking Gas Cap, RS License Plate Frame, SS Brembos, ZL1 FrontEnd, 14/15 Convertible Top

06-11-2014, 01:18 PM	#2
Scott@Bjorn3D Drives: Kami, 2013 2SS LS3 Luvin Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Eufaula, Alabama Posts: 6,427	Have you changed your cabin air filter? They can grow mold if you never changed them and that is what lets fresh air into you cabin when the top is up.

06-12-2014, 06:52 AM	#6
'11 cyber grey vert "SHARK" Born Apr.26,2011 Drives: 2011 CGM 2LT/RS Convertible Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Mississauga,Ontario Posts: 870	If you still have the original water bag...that could be the culprit perhaps... The newer bags are designed slightly different which drain better than the originally designed ones.So it could be that some water is remaining in the water bag.

06-13-2014, 06:41 AM	#7
MYBADSS Drives: 2015 ZL1 Convertible Automatic Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Maricopa, AZ Posts: 100 View My Garage	I've had vehicles that got a mildew smell. I also sprayed Lysol into the cabin air intake and that fixed the problem.

06-13-2014, 10:19 AM	#8
Str8_W8 Deadlift King Drives: 2012 Camaro SS Join Date: May 2014 Location: Louisiana Posts: 118	I had the same smell and replaced the cabin air filter. It was literally black with mildew and mold on it.

06-16-2014, 03:31 PM	#14
B-52 Guns B-52 Guns Drives: 2011 Inferno 2SS/RS convertible Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Lansdale, Pennsylvania Posts: 36	Spent the weekend tracking down the source of the odor and discovered that the back carpet & floor was wet under the mats. Used a hair dryer on both sides of the carpet and that reduced the smell significantly. The question now is: How is this carpet getting wet? Can a bad Water Bag leak into the rear floor area?